The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-05-02
OVER EIGHTY YEARS0LD.
THE INDEPENDENT PRESBYTERIAN
SUNDAY SCHOOL.

THE INDEPENDENT PRESBYTERIAN
SUNDAY SCHOOL.
It's Eighty-third Anniversary Celebra-
ton Last Night-The Church Deco
rated with Evergreens and Sweet
superintendent John L.
Stoddard's Report-The Pastors Adj
dress.
The Sunday school of the Independent
Presbyterian church celebrated its eighty
third anniversary last night. Especial at
tention had been paid to the floral decora-
tons and the pulpit was mass Of green
red and white. The green was palms and
ivy; the red, roses, and the white, roses and
lilies.
The front of the high old Dutch pulpit
was well nigh concealed by the fragrant
and beautiful blooms arranged in various
pretty designs, and the top of the pulpit
was crowned with row of foliage plants.
Baskets of cutfiowers were pendant from
lights on either side of the pulpit and a
handsome basket was suspended from the
central chandelier Each of the massive
pillars was entwined with bamboo vine, pro-
sign was pedestal covered with moss and
cut-roses and suImounted by an exquisite
harp of cutfiowers.
The classes entered the church to the
music Of a professional performed on the
organ. The opening hymn was "Open the
Gates" and was followed by a prayer by
DR.. Bacon. That was succeeded by the
hymn, Let the Good Angels Come In"
DR.. Arson read the lesson, after which came
IA of T I Sur
tendent of the school. Mr. Stoddard said ::
I'm presenting my report on this the
eigthty-third anniversary of our school, |
propose to refer more particularly to the
work of the school for the past year rather
than its present condition. For while the
school is undoubtedly prosperous, the main
cause of that prosperity | lay in great
measure to the activity of the scholars and
teachers in behalf of others, thereby bring
ing blessings on our own heads. A selfish
and idle school will never be prosperous
one; but one which devotes much time,
energy and money to those more in need than
itself is sure to be a live and growing school.
During the year since May last, the Sunday
School Aid Society, to which most of the
teachers and scholars belong, has contrib
uted $500 to the support of Mr.. johnson, our
missionary in China, who also has charge of
the Arson school in Hang Chau. The total
amount raised by this society during the
year is 5000. OF this amount $3.50 has been
turned over to this society for the prosecu-
ton of its work, from the regular Sunday
collections of this school. The rest of the
money from the collections has been used
to assist poor Sunday schools in destitute
localities of our own State. With this
money we have since Jan. l of last year
supplied seven schools with complete libra
ries and full sets of hymn books, amounting
n
ties of lesson papers, cards, etc, for both
infant and elder departments. These were
sent to schools i'll the backwoods desperately
in need, and from the grateful letters we
have received from them we judge we have
been the means of doing much toward build
ing up these schools Before the
close of another year we hope
to assist twelve or fifteen other
very poor schools whose addresses
we already have, and we therefore trust
that the Sunday collections will not fall off,
for all the money contributed in this way,
by either teachers, scholars or visitors, is
now devoted to the poor and needy. None
of it is used upon onr own school, our ex-
penses being met by the trustees of the
church. These ordinary running expenses
have been much reduced of late and a
greater reduction is looked for, as much care
is exercised iii this quarter.
"Our school was presented witb,a library of
294 volumes last fall, under the win of the
late Miss Lawrence, gift which was greatly
needed. These books are much sought after
by the scholars, and through the judicious
and strict management of our efficient libra
rian, but one book has been lost thus far.
The school now numbers 235 scholars and
teachers, with very good average attend
ance. We have an excellent corps of zeal
Gus and faithful teachers, always in their
places, unless prevented by weighty reasons.
1t is, therefore, comparatively easy task
for the Superintendent to do his part
I'VE have heen encouraged during the
year by the conversion of eight scholars,
who have connected themselves with the
visible church, whom we trust, have their
names writted down in the book of life. We
commend them to the guidance and care of
the officers and members of the church.
while thankful for the present prosperous
condition of the school, we hope and look
and strive for something higher and better.
We look for more seriousness, a greater in
crease of scholars, far better order in school
and stricter discipline, and with the blessing
of Almighty God, with the cooperation of
the scholars and the parents of scholars we
hope for success"
The Superintendent in closing his address
alluded to the fact that but two scholars had
died buring the year. Tine rest of the pro-
gramme consisted of hymns, offerings for
missions and an address by Dr. l.. w.
Bacon.